A conversation with the Spring 2022 GU Politics Fellows

KATHRYN CHAVEZ & ANGELA YU: The Spring Class of 2022 Georgetown University Institute of Politics Fellows is “excited,” “enthusiastic,” “optimistic,” and “interested” in learning more about what Georgetown students have to say- their words, not ours. Their office hours doors are open, their discussion groups are kicking off soon, and students will get to hear from these esteemed professionals for themselves.

But first, we can let the Fellows introduce themselves and their professional experiences in their own words.

Elliot Williams is a veteran of both the political and legal fields and proudly holds many jobs. A principal at the Raven group, he loves the variety of “challenging and exciting” issues he encounters as  he works with different clients. His other roles include being a CNN legal analyst as well as a radio host on SiriusXM, where he enjoys getting to drive the political conversation by “bringing guests from across the political spectrum.” Williams is ready to embark on his most recent hire as a GU Politics Fellow.

A career spokesperson, Alyssa Griffin considers it her “greatest honor” to have been the Pentagon press secretary and speak “on behalf of the U.S. armed forces and civilian workforce” that defend the country. Also spending time as former President Donald Trump’s Communication Director, which she considered the “worst job in politics.” She is eager to “speak purely for [herself]” and not “have to hold back [her] opinions” as a Fellow. 

Dafna Linzer has “the same job that [she’s] had since [she] graduated college,” as a journalist. She believes that in society, journalists are truly public servants who have the “honor and great responsibility” of holding elected officials accountable. Like a buffet, journalism allows her to sample a little of many different topics and “makes for a very rich career.”

Kristen Soltis Anderson wants to “pierce the bubble” in which people in politics often find themselves. The pollster notes that people in politics, most likely consume an abundance of news, are checking Twitter “a dozen or more times a day, and have graduate degrees.” She is able to hear what “Americans of all walks of life are thinking” and “provide a reality check” to those who are not connected to the experience of the average person. 

Journalism, as Wesley Lowery defines it, “is to call people who are smarter than me and ask them a bunch of questions.” Then he gets to share what he has learned. Even as a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, the fundamental aspect of learning is what most attracts him to journalism, as all he has to do is “track down people who are way smarter than [him]” and ask them for the answers. 

While she enjoyed her deep involvement in the world of politics, stepping away has been the season of life Etienne has enjoyed most. Previously working for two presidents, a vice president, and the House speaker twice, she has now “disconnected from the matrix.” This new perspective has allowed Etienne to see the field of communications in a refreshed clarity. She points out that 9:30 AM may seem like a good time for grand remarks at a campaign event, but makes little sense when she is dropping her kids off at that time every day. Etienne now wants to focus on becoming a resource for young people as a GU Politics fellow. 

Just like the Fellows will, Georgetown students come to campus with their own set of unique experiences and perspectives. In the age of COVID-19, one thing that sets college campuses, like Georgetown, apart is that we will be in person soon. "It's going to be so enriching and exciting to be in a community that's this size with this caliber of students," said Dafna Linzer.

And while Georgetown is more than just its undergraduate population, for the Fellows interacting with Generation Z is something they are looking forward to. 

Williams noted how excited he is to be around those who the workforce has not yet burdened, "there is just a different energy to being 21 or 22-years-old, and I am looking forward to feeding off of that experience." He is excited to be around a "class of people of a completely different generation." 

And some of the Fellows have a very specific idea of what they hope to learn from Georgetown students. 

"[What] I want to learn from them is how  they define their own power, individually and collectively, and then how are they exercising that power," said Etienne, as her discussion group focuses on how people define their power in politics. "I'd also love to do an analysis of their thoughts on some of the world's biggest players and how they've leveraged their power, not just in the political space, but in industry as well." 

Lowery is excited to talk to students about topics he thinks about himself often. As someone who feels that "we've been dictating from our ivory tower for a long time," he is eager "to hear from them about what their news consumption habits are, about their perceptions on things and understanding that they are going to bring a perspective that I can't as someone too close to what's going on there." 

"I can't wait for students to challenge me on the things that I just have assumed are still the case but might not be," said Anderson. "What are my blind spots? What are the things that I'm missing? That's what I'm excited to find out." 

The Fellows are not the only ones who look forward to the next eight weeks; Georgetown students are eager to engage with the new cohort. Their diverse career paths mirror the wide array of aspirations and ambitions around campus. 

Sophia Xian (SFS ‘25) notes the opportunity “not only to hear from but form relationships with people in close proximity to the institutions that shape our society.” She is especially excited to hear from both Etienne and Griffin as their “approaches to politics and experiences juxtapose one another” and thus, allow students to view the world of political communication from different lenses.

Kessely Nicole (COL ‘25) is also excited to hear from Etienne, who she describes as “Black Girl Magic personified,” and hopes to “learn about navigating politics as a high-achieving woman of color.” 

This class of Fellows are here for the Spring semester, and all Georgetown students should get to know them. Lowery said that “I wake up every day and my job is to find out something I didn't know;” that should also be our job as students. 

Click here to find out more how you can get involved with the new Spring 2022 GU Politics Fellows Class from attending discussion groups to going to their office hours.